Tech Layoffs Surge - These Certifications Might Be Your Only Safety Net

The global tech industry is undergoing a seismic shift in terms of minimising its workforce. Top multinational companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, TCS, and many others have announced successive rounds of tech layoffs, citing reasons ranging from cost rationalisation to the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI). In the recent news, Microsoft Layoffs of 9,000 jobs, TCS announcement of a layoff of 2 per cent of its global workforce have sent shockwaves to the industry.

According to Layoffs.fyi, the first half of 2025 alone has seen more than 90,000 tech roles eliminated, many of which were mid- to senior-level positions across engineering, operations, and data analytics, which clearly shows no job is safe without continual upskilling in terms of latest tools and technologies. In this scenario, your qualifications need to show not only what you have done, but what you are capable of adapting to.

Top online platforms offer a wide range of online certification courses for freshers as well as working professionals who want to skill up and stay relevant in the industry in the coming years. Check these online certifications that will help you survive in this crucial situation of tech layoffs.

Next Tech Layoff Could Hit You

The industry is going through huge job cuts across different profiles. If you are someone who is not adaptive to upskill yourself with the latest tech trends, the next tech layoff could hit you. Some of the tech layoffs that happened recently by top MNCs such as Google, TCS, Intel, and Microsoft are mentioned below.

• Microsoft Layoffs: According to the reports, layoffs at Microsoft have reached 25,000 in the last two years, with the announcement of 9,000 job cuts in the month of June this year.
• TCS Layoffs: TCS is set to cut 2 per cent of its global workforce, impacting nearly 12,000 jobs in the coming months.
• Intel Layoffs: Intel is planning to reduce its workforce by about 24,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its total employees.
• Google Layoffs: Google is said to be laying off workers from its smart TV team, which handles Google TV and Android TV. About 25 per cent of employees may lose their jobs, and the team’s budget is being cut by 10 per cent
• Meta Layoffs: According to the reports, Meta is also planning to cut 5% of its workforce, which translates to approximately 3,600 employees.

Certifications That Can Safeguard Your Career During Tech Layoffs

In a tech landscape driven by automation, cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, and AI, professionals must update their skillsets. Top online platforms such as Coursera, edX, Simplilearn and top institutes such IITs and IIMs (through SWAYAM and NPTEL) offers various online course with certificate. Check the top domains for online certifications below.

• Online Cloud Certifications
• Data and Analytics Credentials
• DevOps and Automation Certifications
• Cybersecurity Certifications
• Project Management Certifications

AI Integration: Reshaping Job Roles Across the Board

The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and automated DevOps systems is significantly reducing the need for human intervention in code writing, testing, debugging, content generation, and even customer service. As this reason, upskilling is no longer optional for mid- and senior-level professionals. Check some of the online artificial intelligence certifications and courses that will help you in upskilling are listed below in the table.

What CEO Says

When we are talking about the tech layoffs in the era of artificial intelligence and machine learning, it is equally important for us to understand what the CEO of these top MNCs thinks. As per the media outlets, TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan said the major changes, including layoffs, are happening because AI is helping companies get more work done with fewer people, and the way businesses operate is also changing. Intel's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan stated that the company wants to become smaller and more efficient after expanding too much in areas where the expected demand didn’t meet. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the layoffs and shared the same views on the terms of restructuring of the organisation as necessary to stay aligned with long-term goals.

It is important for today’s leaders to be tech-savvy, analytics-driven, and agile enough to pivot in uncertain environments. Someone stuck within the traditional management approaches is definitely going to be outpaced by younger, more digitally literate professionals. Investing time in learning automation tools, understanding tech implementation, and enhancing digital communication is a must, not a choice.